Best Elementary Schools
in New Orleans, Louisiana
We ranked all 66 elementary schools in New Orleans. The top 25 scored between 7.5 and 9.7 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Louisiana education data
New Orleans has 42 ranked elementary schools, and the gap between the strongest and the average tells an important story. ReNEW Laurel Elementary leads the metro with a 9.7 out of 10 — nearly three points above the citywide average of 6.9 — followed by Homer Plessy Community School at 9.3 and ReNEW Dolores T. Aaron Elementary at 9.0. The field is competitive at the top: 23 schools, more than half of all ranked elementaries, score 7 or higher. That spread means the right choice depends heavily on where you look. Schools vary across neighborhoods in curriculum focus, performance trends, and enrollment options. The table below lets you sort by overall score, academic growth, and other key metrics so you can compare schools on the factors that matter most to your family. Start with the top performers or filter by your area to narrow the list.
ReNEW Laurel Elementary
Homer Plessy Community School
ST GEORGES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked New Orleans's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Louisiana so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ReNEW Laurel Elementary Charter ReNEW SciTech Academy at Laurel | 9.7 |
| 2 | Homer Plessy Community School Charter Homer Plessy Community School | 9.3 |
| 3 | ST GEORGES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | 9.1 |
| 4 | ReNEW Dolores T. Aaron Elementary Charter ReNew Dolores T Aaron Elementary | 9.0 |
| 5 | Lake Forest Elementary Charter School Charter Lake Forest Elementary Charter School | 8.9 |
| 6 | ECOLE BILINGUE DE LA NOUVELLE ORLEANS | 8.7 |
| 7 | ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | 8.7 |
| 8 | Langston Hughes Charter Academy Charter Langston Hughes Charter Academy | 8.6 |
| 9 | ReNEW Schaumburg Elementary Charter ReNEW Schaumburg Elementary | 8.6 |
| 10 | ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | 8.6 |
| 11 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School Charter Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School | 8.5 |
| 12 | Edward Hynes Charter School - Lakeview Charter Edward Hynes Charter School - Lakeview | 8.5 |
| 13 | Arthur Ashe Charter School Charter Arthur Ashe Charter School | 8.4 |
| 14 | Benjamin Franklin Elem. Math and Science Charter Orleans Parish | 8.2 |
| 15 | Audubon Charter School Charter Audubon Charter School | 8.1 |
| 16 | Phillis Wheatley Community School Charter Phillis Wheatley Community School | 8.0 |
| 17 | TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | 8.0 |
| 18 | Foundation Preparatory Academy Charter Foundation Preparatory Academy | 7.9 |
| 19 | Mary Bethune Elementary Literature/Technology Charter Orleans Parish | 7.9 |
| 20 | Young Audiences Charter School Charter Jefferson Parish | 7.8 |
| 21 | Success @ Thurgood Marshall Charter Success Preparatory Academy | 7.6 |
| 22 | KIPP Morial Charter KIPP Ernest N. Dutch Morial | 7.5 |
| 23 | Alice M Harte Elementary Charter School Charter Alice M Harte Elementary Charter School | 7.5 |
| 24 | Wilson Charter School Charter Wilson Charter School | 7.5 |
| 25 | HOLY NAME OF JESUS SCHOOL | 7.5 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Louisiana education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Louisiana. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in New Orleans
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: New Orleans's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in New Orleans
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. New Orleans's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in Louisiana, with 66 schools spanning 71 school districts, plus 42 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, ReNEW Laurel Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in New Orleans with a composite score of 9.7/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many elementary schools are in New Orleans, Louisiana?
New Orleans has 66 elementary schools, including 42 charter schools. Of these, 63 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in New Orleans?
The average composite score for New Orleans elementary schools is 6.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Louisiana).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within Louisiana, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Louisiana, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the New Orleans elementary school rankings?
Yes. New Orleans has 42 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.